Forget dating apps or online hookups. In Largo de Santo António da Sé, one of the oldest and most curious rituals remains if you’re looking for luck in love.
This Lisbon tradition involves the statue of the patron saint, a coin , and a fair amount of aim. We’re talking about an ancient tradition that anyone can participate in all year round.
Tradition has it thatanyone who throws a coin at the statue in Largo de Santo António da Sé(where the church of the same name is also located) will findhappiness in their relationship or soon find love.
The goal is to make the coin land and remain motionless on top of the open book that the bronze figure holds in its hands.
The “rules” for happiness
What many people don’t know is the “price” paid for poor aim. The number of failed attempts before the coin lands on the book corresponds exactly to the number of years the person will have to wait to get married or find their true love. In other words, if the coin falls to the ground three times and only lands on the book on the fourth try, tradition says you’ll have to wait four years.
Some even say that physics plays a key role: using heavier coins (such as one- or two-euro coins) significantly reduces the bounce off the bronze, preventing the coin from slipping off the pedestal.
The second secret lies in positioning, since the angle with the highest success rate is on the left side of the person facing the statue, slightly aligned with the tree flanking the opposite sidewalk.
Either way, even with all these tricks, this won’t be an easy challenge, because the book is way up high.And you, when are you going to try your luck?
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